Section 8: Safety Considerations
Suspension of Play for Dangerous Conditions (Rule 5.7)
Rule 5.7a requires all players to stop play immediately when the Committee signals a suspension for a dangerous situation (one prolonged siren blast in most competitions). If a player does not stop play promptly, the Committee may impose the disqualification penalty. Players may stop play on their own initiative when they reasonably believe there is a danger from lightning, even if the Committee has not yet signaled suspension (Rule 5.7a, second paragraph).
Rule 5.7b governs what happens during a suspension: a player must not practice on the course unless permitted. Rule 5.7c: when play is resumed, each player must resume from the spot where they stopped (if a hole was not completed) or from the teeing area of the next hole (if the previous hole was completed). Rule 5.7d: players discontinuing play must mark their ball position before leaving.
Lightning Safety
The R&A and USGA strongly recommend that all players, caddies, and spectators leave the course immediately upon the first indication of a thunderstorm, even before a formal suspension is called. The R&A publishes separate guidance on lightning safety as part of its Health & Safety resources. Standard industry guidance (followed at R&A championship events) includes:
- Seek shelter in substantial buildings or hard-topped vehicles. Do not shelter under isolated trees, in open-sided shelters, or in shallow depressions.
- If caught in the open, crouch low on the balls of your feet, minimize contact with the ground, and stay away from other people and tall objects.
- Do not hold metal objects (including golf clubs) during a storm.
- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activity.
Pace of Play (Rule 5.6)
Rule 5.6a requires players to play without undue delay. Each player should be ready to play when it is their turn and should play their stroke in no more than 40 seconds (or less) after it is their turn to play and they are able to do so, as recommended by the R&A and USGA in their Pace of Play guidance (not a Rule penalty by default, but Committees may adopt pace-of-play Local Rules under Rule 5.6b).
Rule 5.6b allows the Committee to set a maximum time for a round, a hole, or a stroke. If a player's group exceeds the maximum time by more than one stroke (out of position), the slowest player may be penalized: one stroke for the first breach, the general penalty for a second breach, and disqualification for a third breach, as specified in the Committee's Local Rule.
Player Conduct and Welfare
Rule 1.2a calls on all players to show consideration for others, including playing promptly, not distracting others during their stroke, and ensuring the safety of fellow players, caddies, and spectators before making a stroke. A player should not make a stroke until other players, caddies, or bystanders are at a safe distance from the intended line of play and landing zone.
The R&A and USGA have collaborated with PGA TOUR and other governing bodies to develop heat and extreme weather policies that may be adopted as Local Rules at the Committee's discretion. These may include mandatory water breaks, modified tee-time intervals, and early round suspension triggers for extreme heat or air quality conditions, particularly at elite professional and amateur events.
Course Safety Marking
Committees must mark all penalty areas (Rule 17), out-of-bounds limits (Rule 18.2), and abnormal course conditions (ground under repair, immovable obstructions) clearly before competition. Inadequately marked areas can create safety hazards for players searching for balls in rough terrain, thick vegetation, or near water. R&A championships use stake-and-line systems with reflective markers for visibility in low-light conditions during early morning or late afternoon play.
Dangerous Animal Conditions (Rule 16.2)
Rule 16.2 provides that if a player's ball lies near a dangerous animal (e.g., a venomous snake, wasp nest, alligator, or biting insect swarm) that could cause physical injury, the player may take free relief under the same procedure as for abnormal course conditions (one club-length from nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole), even in a penalty area. This protection applies regardless of where the ball lies on the course.